Cord stretch eliminator



k0. ED GlRilMES, 5R

WORD STRETCH ELIfifilNATOIE-i Filed May 15, 19 15 E Sheets-Sheet l 0561x7229. Qrz'mea; Jr;

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ATTDRNEYS CORD STRETCH ELIMINATOR Filed May 15, 1943 A 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Dec. 12, 1944. O. D, GRIMES, SR 2,365,069

I CORD STRETCH ELIMINATOR Filed May 13, 1945 e Sheets-Sheet s 1| 9 I INVENTOR,

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. 12, 1944. o. n. GREMES, SR

GURU STRETCH ELIMINAL'IFUR Filed May 13, 1943 6 fiheets sheaez-fi 4 wwaa @TZ AUG")? NZEYSE Dec. 12, 1944.

' 0. n. smMEs, SR

'E'ORD STRETCH ELIMINATUR Filed may 13, 1945 WSwQW 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 AITDRNEYS Dec. 12, 1944.

O. D. GRIMES, SR

GORE) STRETCH ELIMINATOR Filed May 13, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 (WWI!!! P75678955? PJTURNEYE atented Dec. 12, 19%

ED STATES 4 Claims.

" termined limits. 1

m the-manufactl1re of cord of this type, it is common practice to stretch the cord in a wet condition and ship the wet cord to the trade. Prolonged dampness results in mold and deterioration of the cord, in addition to increasing its weight and transportation costs.

Accordingly an object of my invention is to provide a novel machine which is so designed as to wet, stretch and dry the cord in a continuous and single operation.

A further object is to provide a machine of the type described wherein the cord to be stretched is taken from a dry supply, in which novel means are provided for wetting 'the cord and then stretching the cord in a series of stages to eliminate excess stretch within predetermined limits, and in which means are provided for drying the cord as it comes from the stretching mechanism to be wound on a suitable holder, at which time it is ready for distribution to the trade. or further processing.

'In the accompanying drawings: 1

Figure l is an end elevational view partly in section of a machine in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a view taken from the position indicated by line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Fi ure 3 is a face view of a drying unit.

Figure 4 is a view taken from the'position indicated by line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sec ional view of one drum of the drying unit of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an end view of a stretching unit and tensioning mechanism.

Figure 8 is a face view of the structure of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a view of the stretching mechanism apart from the stretching unit.

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional detail view of the stretching unit.

Figure 11 illustrates a chain driven cord drier.

Figure 12 is a sectional view along the line l2l2 of Figure 11, and

Figure 13 is a view taken from the position indicated by line 53-83 of Figure 11.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, Figure 1 illustrates a table or floor l2 mounted on a frame structure it. This table may extend the full length or width of the factory. Upon the table i2 is mounted a series of upright supporting frames, one of which is illustrated at It in Figure 1. These frames are spaced at suitable intervals longitudinally of the table it, but each frame assembly and its associated mechanism is independent of the other assemblies, ex cept insofar as the frames may coast for bracing purposes.

In the arrangement of Figure 1, two wetting, stretching and drying devices it are associated with the frame it. These devices are located on opposite sides of the frame it and are identical in construction and operation, so that the description of one will apply to both. Similar reference characters are applied to corresponding parts in the two devices. The arrangement shown is one wherein the devices may be closely nested for space saving purposes.

A spool 2% is rotatably mounted on a pin 22 bolted to a horizontal angle 2t attached to the frame It. This spool contains a dry supply of plied cord 26 to be stretched. The cord taken from a supply-such as the spool 20, or a cone (not shown), extends downwardly and passes through a tensioning device 28. .In Figure 2, the device 23 may comprise a dished plate 30 fixed to a horizontal shaft 32 mounted on a support 30;. A second dished plate 35 is slidably mounted on the shaft 32 and is yieldingly pressed in the direction of a plate 30 by 'a compression spring 38. The two plates 30 and it ar bellied in the direction of each other and the cord 26 is frictionally clamped between the two plates, the resistance being predetermined.

The cord 26 passes from the tensioning unit 28 in contact. with a driven roller 40 for wetting the cord. This roller lies horizontally and may extend the full length of the table l2. The roller 40 is partially submerged in water or other wetting liquid 42 contained in a trough 44. From the roller 40 the cord 26 passes through a tensioning unit 66 mounted on the lower end of a bar or bracket 48 suspended from a horizontally positioned supporting shaft 50, but is fixedly connected with this shaft.

In Figure 9, the tensioning unit Mi comprises a horizontal shaft 52 threaded into a boss 54 at the lower end of the bracket 48, which shaft is secured against accidental rotation through the medium of a lock nut 66. Upon the shaft 62 is mounted a dished plate 68 which is restrained from axial movement on the shaft. A second dished plate 68 is mounted on the shaft 52 and may move axially thereon. A compression spring 62 is interposed between the boss 54 and the plate 68 to press the latter in the direction of the plate 68, the cord 26 passing between the two plates, and the plates are bellied in the direction of each other.

From the tensioning unit 46 the cord 26 is guided in a groove 64 m a guide pin as bolted at 61 to the bracket 48. From the pin 66, the cord 26 passes through a primary tensioning mechanism 68.

The primary tensioning mechanism68 comprises a bar I8 lying flatwise against the bracket 48 and pivotally connected therewith at 12. A boss I4 is attached to the lower end of the bar 18 for rotatably supporting a cord oscillating roller 16. This roller is provided with a shaft I8 rotatably supported in a bore 88 in the boss I4. While the boss 14 projects laterally from the bar 18 in the direction of the bracket 48, the latter is offset at 82 to provide accommodation for the boss, so that the bar I8 may pivot freely about its axis I2 and relatively to the bracket 48.

The roller 16 is provided with a sinuous groove 84 extending circumferentially of the roller and in which the cord 26 is guided. Thus the cord 26 is caused to oscillate within the full and dotted line limits shown in Figure 9. A series of tensioning pins 86 is attached to the bracket 48 in a straight line, as shown in Figure 7. Similar pins 88 are fixed to the bar I8, this bar being notched at 68 to provide clearance for the pins 86. The greater part of the pins 88 are arranged in a straight line, and the pins 86 and 88 are arranged in alternate relationship, so that the cord 26 is caused to take a sinuous contour as it passes between the two sets of pins.

While the bar I8 pivots freely on the bracket 48, the bar I8 is of considerably greater weight beneath its pivotal axis 12, s that the bar will tend to maintain a vertical position automatically. The roller 16 is of considerable diameter with respect to the pins 86 or 88, and the cord 26 is bowed in a considerable degree as it passes around the roller 16. The pins 86 and 88 are located on opposite sides of the cord 26, so that any clockwise movement of the bar I8 when viewing Figure 7, in response to any straightening tendency of the cord bow passing around the roller I6 is resisted by reason of the opposing relationship of the pins 86 and 88 on the cord. Thus the cord pressure effective on the roller I6 maintains a predetermined pressure on the cord as it passes between the pins 86 and 88 to maintain a predetermined tension on the cord as it leaves the ten- .sioning mechanism 68. The oscillating movement of the cord 26 shifts the cord relatively to the pins 86 and 88 so as t distribute the wear thereon.

The pins 86 and 88 are arranged in parallelism with respect to each other, as well as with reing I82 in a link I84 having its upper end mounted on the shaft 68 and its lower end provided with a bearing I86 mounted on a drive shaft I88 to which the roller 66 is keyed, as at H8. The

This

shaft I88 is rotatably supported in bearings mounted on the table I2, as indicated in Figure 1. This shaft is also restrained from longitudinal movement, and the bearing I86 is confined between the roller 66 and a collar II2 fixed t the drive shaft. The upper end of the link I84 is restrained from movement longitudinally of the shaft 58 by reason of its confinement between a collar I I4 fixed to the bracket 48 and to the shaft 58 and a collar I I6 arranged on the opposite side of the link and fixed to the shaft 68.

The roller 64 rotates freely on the shaft 66, and this shaft is provided with a head II 8 which re-' strains the roller from relative axial movement in one direction, the other end of the roller lying against a washer I28 mounted on the bolt I88 and abutting the annular shoulder I22 on the shaft 68. Thus the shaft 68 may be fixedly related to the link I84 and at the same time permitting free rotation of the roller 64. I

Both rollers 64 and 66 are provided with V- grooves I24. The grooves are the same in numher, and the grooves in one roller lie in planes common to the respective grooves in the other roller. Both rollers aretapered in the same direction, and the cord 26 passes first around the pulley 94 and in the first groove I24 at the small end of the roller. The cord then passes about the roller 66 in the first groove in its small end, after which the cord is Wound about the roller 64 in the second groove. The grooves I24 in-the two rollers- 64 and 66 are of. progressivelylarger diameters, and the cord 26 is wound in all the grooves in the roller 64 and all but one groove in the roller 66. From the roller 64 the cord passes to a drier I26.

The cord 26 is frictionally gripped by the side walls of the grooves I24 so that the cord runs engaging the pulleys are restrained from slippage. The cord enters the stretching unit in a wet condition, and each straight run of the cord between the rollers 64 and 66 is successively stretched an additional amount as the cord passes through the stretching unit. Thus the cord is stretched in a series of stages and in predetermined amounts, depending upon the degree of roller taper and number of coils of cord wound about the two rollers. Since the cord is restrained from slippage when riding in the grooves I24, the cord is stretched in gentle amounts and in a series of stages which permit effective stretching of the cord to eliminate stretch in a predetermined degree. The cord is maintained under a predetermined amount of tension as it leaves the stretching mechanism 68, so that the cord enters the stretching unit 62 under predetermined tension.

The drier I25'comprises two drums I26 and I28. The cord extends from the roller 84 to the drum I26 and is then successively woundon the drums I26 and I28 in the crossed manner illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Both drums I28 and I 28 are provided with circumferential grooves III for guiding the cord. The grooves I88 need not be V-shaped in the manner of the grooves I24, but the two drums I28 and I28 are steam heated to thoroughly dry the cord in its passage about the two drums. The two drums are of identical construction so that the description of one will apply to both.

In Figures 5 and 6, the drum I28 comprises a tubular shell I32 within which are threaded two end plates I64 and-I38. These plates are recessed at I38 so that a spanner wrench may be employed. The plate I88'is provided with a tubular bearing I40 which is arranged coaxially of the shell I32 and is rotatably mounted on a steam branch pipe I42 communicating with a main steam pipe I44.

tween the stretcher and the wetter, said stretcher comprising two grooved rollers oftapered contour and arranged for rotation about parallel axes, said cord being wound about the two rollers A collar I46 is secured to the inner end of the progressively from their smaller ends to their pipe I42, and this pipe and the collar are provided with a common opening I46 which is of funnel contour, as at I50. The collar I46 is'located between the bearing I40 and the end plate larger ends, said cord being frictionally engaged by the walls of said grooves to eliminate slippage of the cord relatively to the rollers, steam heated rotary drums for drying the stretched cord, said I34 to restrain the drum I26 from relativeaxial drums having rooves for the reception of the movement on the pipe I42. A-stufling box I52 provided gr the plate I36 forthe pipe I42.

The drums are"effectiv ely heated so as to eliminate all moisture from the cord.

In Figures 5 and 6 radial flanges I54 are attached to the inner face of the shell I32 to function as collectors for condensate. Longitudinal grooves I56 are providedin the bearing I40, this bearing having an external taperin the diz eetion cord and'said cord beingcross wound on the two drums a d having its convolutions separated one from the other by the grooves in the drums, and -meansfor removing condensate from the drums. 2. A machine for reducing cord stretch within predetermined limits comprising a Pair of cord "tensioning devices, a cord wetting device located between the two cord tensioning devices and the cord following a path from one tensioning device of the collar I46. Liquid is therefore caused"to" t \tn th r through the wetting device, a

flow into the tunnel shaped opening I50 and then to the steam pipes. I

The dried cord leaves the drum I26 and passes about the roller 06 and in the groove at the largest end of the roller. through an eye I56 and then. to a conventional traveler or guide I60 to be wound on a spool I62, 2r gther suitable package for distribution to the ra e.

In Figures *1 and 2, the pipes I44 connect with alarge steam supply pipe I 64 extending longitudinally of the table I2 for supplying heat to all the driers.

In Figure 11,the drier units I66 are generally stretching device receiving the cord after it has been tensioned and formed with grooves designed to frictionally engage the cord to prevent slipping and maintain tension, the stretching device The cord then Passes 25 comprising tapered rollers with their tapers extending in the same direction and the cord'following the grooves from the small to the large end of the rollers, and heated grooved drums to which the cord passes from the stretching rollers, the cord being cross wound ,on the drums and having its convolution separated by the grooves therein.

3. A machine for reducing cord stretch within predetermined limits comprising a plurality of identical with the driers I25, with the exception m tensioning devices, a rotary cord wetting that the lowermost drums I66 have sprockets I10 attached thereto by bolts I12. Chains I14 pass around the respective sprockets I10 and about sprockets I16 keyed to the lowermost rolldevice located between certain of the cord tensioning devices and the cord following a path through the tensioning' devices and the wetting device, certain of the. tensioning devices includ- 81's I." o! the stretching units the la ing spring pressed dishedplates, and the remaincorresponding to the stretching units 92. The

chains I14 pass around sprockets I02 attached 7 to a shaft I84 corresponding to the shaft I 08. In Figures 11 and. 12, the lowermost rollers I18, as well as the top rollers I66 are rotatably mounted on the arms I66 corresponding to the arms I04. Thus both the drier units and the stretching units in each gang are positively driven.

In the specification and the claims, the word "cord" means single yarn, plied yarn, or cord.

Without 'further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain my invention, that others may. by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

cloning means ..for the wet cord interposedbe- .0

ing grooves over which the cord is trained to follow the grooves from the small ends to the large ends 01' the rollers, and heated grooved drums to which the cord passes from the stretchspools betore passing to the rewind spool, and

wherein a guiding device is provided for the cord from the stretching spools to the rewind spool.

OSCAR D, GRIMES, Sn.- 

